Orthognathic/Maxillofacial Surgery

Welcome to my Orthognathic/Maxillofacial Surgery Blog! I've created this blog so that I may have a place where I can document my experience both for personal use and for anyone going through the same process. I hope to provide a resource for others who need the surgery wherein they can find information and--hopefully!--peace of mind. This particular surgery can be quite scary, and no one should have to go through it feeling alone.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

On 16 March I was outfitted with a full set of metal braces. I had a consultation with Doctor Steven B. Kupferman the next day, and have learned that I will need both upper and lower jaw surgery--an incision will be made above the teeth on the upper jaw, and between the front teeth--the jaw will then be widened so that my upper teeth will be able to rest on top of my lower teeth. The new jaw position will be held together with titanium plates and screws.

As for my lower jaw, two incisions will be made near the back of the jaw, before the joint. A small section of the jaw will be removed on both sides, and moved from its crooked position to a symmetrical position--the jaw will then be reattached with titanium plates and screws. All incisions will be made inside the mouth apart from two very small incisions which will be made on the face near the earlobes.

Initial photos of my bite (or lack of a bite) and facial structure will be added next week.

About My Condition

I've got a class III malocclusion with a bilateral posterior open bite. There is a mandibular asymmetry with the chin deviating to the right. The maxilla is narrow in relation to the mandible. Orthodontic treatment began in January of 2007 in an attempt to decompensate the dental arches and set up for orthognathic surgery. I wore an expander to widen my upper palate and went through two years of Invisalign treatment. As of 16 March 2010 I've now got a full set of metal braces in anticipation of the surgery, which will most likely take place in July of 2010.

As for complications that my jaw gives me, I've got TMJ pain and popping and clicking of the jaw, along with a constant feeling of strain, as there is no place to rest my lower jaw. I have extreme trouble chewing food.

My orthodontist is Doctor Daniel Azani who works out of Encino, and my surgeon is Doctor Steven B. Kupferman, who works out of Century City. The surgery will be performed at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.